Eriskay is a small island joined to South Uist via a causeway so we decided due to the late afternoon arrival of the ferry to drive direct to the campsite on South Uist. But not before stopping at the Am Politician pub famous for having a collection of souvenirs ( including bottles of the whisky from the shipwreck made famous by the film Whisky Galore) and renowned for its good food. After dining on the largest scallops I have ever eaten we arrived and settled into camp, confused by a strange sound which we thought was the fridge we fell asleep but found ourselves waking at intervals to the same odd sound. Early morning revealed the culprit to be a male corncrake in the field behind us, intrepid photographer Charles was lucky enough to get a really good photo of the female.

After breakfast and a shower we headed to North Boisdale and a small campsite run by a lovely lady called Katrina and Stupac the dog. Taking a circular walk along the lanes and following farm tracks around the field perimeters the variety of birds was astounding lapwings, oyster catchers, redshanks, skylarks, corn buntings and in the background the male Corncrakes constant calling.

In the distance in the middle of nowhere we could see an old church and gravestones, on investigation we discovered it to be a Commonwealth graveyard.

Having said goodbye to Katrina and an overzealous goodbye from Stupac we were treated to the sight of a short eared owl hunting in the field next to us as we drove but unfortunately we were unable to get a photo but can share an RSPB info board image.

Our next stop was on an RSPB reserve next to Loch Druidibeg, following a marked footpath over the peat bogs we were treated to some spectacular views and again a variety of birds. Coming back along the road we were met by a bedraggled looking wild horse whose expression was similar to that of Eyoreout of the Pooh Bear stories. We had one more stopover at another RSPB on the west coast at Balranald. The site was overlooking a beautiful bay and we spent our time walking on the beach collecting stones and birdwatching before catching the ferry the next morning to the island of Harris and Lewis.